My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with wide

is

her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing

side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats

hearing that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a

must sing the

Rachel must close her eyes

blow out the

her head to indicate to Julian that

in unison. The delicate

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height

hands and made a wish. After that, she blew

thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

thing right now is to take care of your body and your

me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At

told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s

she turned and headed toward the

apartment and about to

door was propped open by a large

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the

out on business? she

himself, he slid sideways into the house and

“I see you’ve been getting along fine without

she took two steps back.

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie

you wouldn’t want me to

step he approached her, forcing

idea what she

staggered after him and was dragged all